Dysautonomia Awareness Month: Everything you need to know

Team Udayavani, Oct 19, 2020, 2:04 PM IST

Many might have not heard the term Dysautonomia and that’s why Dysautonomia Awareness Month is so important

The first Dysautonomia Awareness Month was launched in October, 2012 by Dysautonomia International. Since then, more than 1,250 awareness activities have taken place all over the world.

It is a term that is used to describe a number of different conditions that have an impact on the autonomic nervous symptom (ANS). This part of your nervous system controls involuntary body functions like your heartbeat, breathing and digestion.

The ANS is the part of the nervous system that controls involuntary body functions (functions you don’t consciously control) like your heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, digestion, body and skin temperature, hormonal function, bladder function, sexual function and many other functions.

When the ANS doesn’t work as it should, it can cause heart and blood pressure problems, trouble breathing and loss of bladder control.

There are at least 15 different types of dysautonomia. The most common are neurocardiogenic syncope and postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS). In many cases, symptoms are not visible and occur internally.

Worldwide, it affects more than 70 million people. It can be present at birth or appear gradually or suddenly at any age.

According to Medical NewsToday, Common symptoms include, an inability to stay upright. dizziness, vertigo, and fainting. fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat, chest pain, low blood pressure, problems with the gastrointestinal system, nausea, disturbances in the visual field, weakness, breathing difficulties, mood swings, anxiety, fatigue and intolerance to exercise, migraines, tremors, disrupted sleep pattern, frequent urination, Temperature Regulation Problems, concentration and memory problems, poor appetite, overactive senses, especially when exposed to noise and light

This year there will be no in person events due to COVID-19, but the organizers are encouraging everyone to get involved in raising awareness in other creative ways.